Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-12-25

| Al SuTlstLtltS tlult oIS. Va $780, 1850
from the Old World. Our Christina:
tree comes from Germany, our santa
Claus from Holland, onr Christma'
stocking from Belgium or France, snC
our merry Christmas and napp,
New Year" from the old English Gus
tom of shouting, from window te
street and from street to window, IL
the long, long ago.
Chrfstm..s IN Los Angeles.
Ii then the whole world has com
bined to celebrate the advent of the
Christ-child and il the Christmas
tree, the Christmas carol and the
good angel OF the little ones, whether
he be represented as Santa Claus. st.
Nicholas or ris-kringle, have be-
come part OF our advanced civiliza-
ton, why should not Los Angeles.
which is so progressive in everything
else, awake to the importance OF this
great festival? Doubtless, tue utter
want of interest with which the sea-
son is treated, is due to the lovely
weather aud the absence OF cold and
snow; but ii the climate is as similar
to that Of the Holy Land as it is said to
be, then Southern California has an
especial reason for recognizing and
commemorating the sacred advent in
the manger. Ii l was not completely
fascinated with the climate, the people
and the City of Los Angeles, should
feel like taking the first train East, in
order that l might see something like
proper respect paid to Santa Claus.
Yet, with very few exceptions, the Los
AnsleiIos Of the present day, and Ger
tainly all of the merchants, have
migrated from those sections Of the
East where most enthusiasm is enter
tanned for Christmas. Why then, are
not the streets crowded with
animated purchasers, the chill
dren alive with sxpccta-
ton. and the store windows packed
with toys, and beautified with holiday
decorations? A gentleman to whom
] verbally put the question, a day or
two ago, replied: eve have no time
to think Of Christmas; we are too
much occupied with real estate" II
that is true, and ! presume il is, for
the sake OF business, if for no higher
reason, would it not be well to ''as-
sumo virtue, even if we had ii not?"
In response to this criticism upon the
public spirit OF the city, SOME may
say, The toy, stationery and dry goods
stores all have on hand line Christ
mas goods, while in many OF the large
windows are exhibited a variety of
fancy articles. / do not deny that, on
4 limited scale, such is the case, but
l am positive that all the year
round the streets and stores of Phil
adelphia and New York look as much
like Christmas as during the week be-
fore Christmas the streets and
stores Of Los Angeles look ike il.
Where is the live KrisiKringle who in
the shop windows Of the large cities
of the East, affords somuch merriment
to passers by, constantly appearing
and disappearing through the Chin
ney of the miniature house placed on
exhibition? Where is the Christmas
tree with it's weight of bon.bons, its
glittering tinsel and its futtering
angels? Where is the life-size holy
family and the manger wherein
reposes the Christ-child? Nobody
knows and nobody seems to care ex-
cept the London Clothing Company,
who have been public spirited enough
to arrange a pleasing and realistic
snow scene in their window. A
year or two ago John Wanamaker,
who is famous for his Easter and
Christmas displays, had in one Of his
huge windows the interior of beau
tiful room, in the corner of which
stood q glittering Christmas tree.
Around it were grouped the life-size
figures of several tastefully-attired and
children; while standing
upon tho lattice without the window,
and with her wan face pressed against
the pane, was little girl whose tat
tered garments and forlorn attitude
brought tears to the eyes OF all who
gazed upon the scene.